The Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Dead Matins
MATINS
THE INVITATORY
Come, let us adore the King,* to Whom all things live.
Come, let us adore the King, to Whom all things live.
PSALM XCIV
Come, let us praise the Lord with joy; let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms.
Come, let us adore the King, to Whom all things live.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods. For the Lord will not reject His people. For in His hands are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are His.
Come, let us adore.
For the sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us adore and fall down, and weep before the Lord that made us. For He is the Lord our God: and we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Come, let us adore the King, to Whom all things live.
To-day, if you shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts. As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted Me, they proved Me, and saw My works.
Come, let us adore.
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: these always err in heart. And these men have not known My ways: so I swore in My wrath, that they shall not enter into My rest.
Come, let us adore the King, to Whom all things live.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Come, let us adore.
Come, let us adore the King, to Whom all things live.
FIRST NOCTURN
PSALM V
Ant. Direct, O Lord.
Give ear, O Lord, to my words,* understand my cry.
Hearken to the voice of my prayer, * O my King and my God.
For to Thee will I pray: * O Lord, in the morning Thou shalt hear my voice.
In the morning I shall stand before Thee, and will see: * because Thou art not a God that willeth iniquity.
Neither shall the wicked dwell near Thee: * nor shall the unjust abide before Thy eyes.
Thou hatest all workers of iniquity: * Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie.
The Lord abhorreth the bloody and deceitful man. * But as for me, in the multitude of Thy mercy,
I will come into Thy house; * I will adore, in Thy fear, in Thy holy temple.
Conduct me, O Lord, in Thy justice: * because of my enemies, direct my way in Thy sight.
For there is no truth in their mouth: * their heart is vain.
Their throat is an open sepulchre: with their tongues they deal deceitfully: * judge them, O God.
Let them fall from their devices: according to the multitude of their iniquities cast them out: * for they have provoked Thee, O Lord.
But let all that hope in Thee be glad: * they shall rejoice for ever, and Thou shalt dwell in them.
And all they that love Thy name shall glory in Thee. * For Thou wilt bless the just.
O Lord, Thou hast crowned us with Thy good will * as with a shield.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. Direct, O Lord, my God, my steps in Thy sight.
PSALM VI
Ant. Turn, O Lord.
O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy anger, * nor chastise me in Thy wrath.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: * heal me, O Lord, for my bones are sore.
And my soul is troubled exceedingly: * but Thou, O Lord, how long?
Turn, O Lord, and deliver my soul: * O save me for Thy mercy's sake.
For in death there is no one that is mindful of Thee: * and who shall praise Thee in hell?
I have labored in my groanings, every night I wash my bed: * I water my couch with my tears.
My eye is troubled through indignation: * I have grown old amidst all my enemies.
Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; * for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
The Lord hath heard my supplication: * the Lord hath received my prayer.
Let all my enemies be put to shame, and be very much troubled: * let them be put to shame very speedily.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. Turn, O Lord, and deliver my soul; for there is none in death who will be mindful of Thee.
PSALM VII
Ant. Lest at any time.
O Lord my God, in Thee have I put my trust: * save me and deliver me from all them that persecute me.
Lest at any time, like a lion, he seize upon my soul, * while there is no one to rescue me, or to save.
O Lord, my God, if I have done this thing, * if there be iniquity in my hands:
If I have made a return to them that did evils to me, * let me deservedly fall powerless before my enemies.
Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life on the earth, * and bring down my glory to the dust.
Rise up, O Lord, in Thy anger: * and be Thou exalted in the borders of my enemies.
And arise, O Lord, my God, for the judgment which Thou hast commanded: * and a congregation of people shall surround Thee.
And for their sakes, return Thou on high: * the Lord judgeth the people.
Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, * and according to my innocence on me.
The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to naught; and Thou shalt direct the just: * the searcher of hearts and reins is God.
Just is my help from the Lord: * who saveth the upright of heart.
God is a just judge, strong and patient: * is He angry every day?
Unless ye be converted, He will brandish His sword: * He hath bent His bow, and made it ready.
And in it He hath prepared the instruments of death. * He hath made ready His burning arrows.
Behold He hath been in labor with injustice.* He hath conceived sorrow and brought forth iniquity. *
He hath opened a pit and dug it: and he is fallen into the hole he made.
His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: * and his iniquity shall come down upon his crown.
I will give glory to the Lord, according to His justice: * and will sing to the name of the Lord Most High.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. Lest at any time, like a lion, he seize upon my soul, while there is no one to rescue me, nor to save.
V. From the gates of hell.
R. Deliver their souls, O Lord.
Our Father, etc., in silence.
FIRST LESSON
Job vii
Spare me, for my days are nothing. What is man that Thou shouldst magnify him? or why dost Thou set Thy heart upon him? Thou visitest him early in the morning, and Thou provest him suddenly. How long wilt Thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle? I have sinned, what shall I do to Thee, O keeper of men? why hast Thou set me opposite to Thee, and I am become burdensome to myself? Why dost Thou not remove my sin, and why dost Thou not take away mine iniquity? Behold now, I shall sleep in the dust: and if Thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.
R. I believe my Redeemer liveth, and that in the last day I shall rise from the earth. * And in my flesh I shall see God my Saviour.
V. Whom I myself shall see, and not another, and my eyes shall behold. * And in my flesh I shall see God my Saviour.
SECOND LESSON
Job x
My soul is weary of life, I will let go my speech against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul, I will say to God: Do not condemn me: tell me why Thou judgest me so? Doth it seem good to Thee that Thou shouldst crush me, and oppress me, the work of Thy own hands, and help the counsel of the wicked? Hast Thou eyes of flesh: or seest Thou as man seeth? Are Thy days as the days of man, and are Thy years as the times of men: that Thou shouldst inquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin? And Thou knowest that I have done no wicked thing, whereas there is no man that can deliver out of Thy hand.
R. Thou Who didst raise Lazarus from the grave. * Thou, O Lord, give them rest, and a place of pardon.
V. Thou Who art to come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. * Thou, O Lord, give them rest, and a place of pardon.
THIRD LESSON
Job x
Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me wholly round about: and dost Thou thus cast me down headlong on a sudden? Remember, I beseech Thee, that Thou hast made me as the clay, and Thou wilt bring me into dust again. Hast Thou not pressed me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh: Thou hast put me together with bones and sinews: Thou hast granted me life and mercy, and Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
R. O Lord, when Thou wilt come to judge the earth, where shall I hide myself from the face of Thy wrath? * For I have sinned exceedingly in my life.
V. I dread my misdeeds, and blush before Thee, do not condemn me when Thou comest to judge.* For I have sinned exceedingly in my life.
R. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. * For I have sinned exceedingly in my life.
SECOND NOCTURN
PSALM XXII
Ant. He hath set me.
The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. * He hath set me in a place of pasture.
He hath brought me to refreshing water: * He hath converted my soul.
He hath led me on the paths of justice, * for His own name's sake.
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, * for Thou art with me.
Thy rod and Thy staff, * they have comforted me.
Thou hast prepared a table before me, * against them that afflict me.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; * and my cup which inebriateth me, how goodly is it !
And Thy mercy will follow me * all the days of my life.
And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, * unto length of days.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. He hath set me in a place of pasture.
PSALM XXIV
Ant. The sins,
To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. * In Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed.
Neither let my enemies laugh at me; * for none that wait on Thee shall be confounded.
Let all them be confounded * that transgress wantonly.
Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me,* and teach me Thy paths.
Direct me in Thy truth, and teach me: * for Thou art God, my Saviour; and on Thee have I waited all the day.
Remember, O Lord, Thy bowels of compassion, * and Thy mercies that are of old.
The sins of my youth and my offences, * do not remember.
According to Thy mercy remember Thou me: * for Thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
The Lord is sweet and righteous; * therefore He will give a law to sinners in the way.
The mild He will guide in judgment: * the meek He will teach His ways.
All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth * to them that seek after His covenant and His testimonies.
For Thy name's sake, O Lord, Thou wilt pardon my sin: * for it is great.
Who is the man that feareth the Lord? * He hath appointed him a law in the way he hath chosen.
His soul shall dwell amidst plenty: * and his seed shall inherit the land.
The Lord is a support to them that fear Him: * and His covenant shall he made known to them.
My eyes are ever towards the Lord: * for He will pluck my feet out of the snare.
Look Thou upon me; and have mercy on me: * for I am alone and poor.
The troubles of my heart are multiplied; * deliver me from my necessities.
See my abjection and my labor: * and forgive me all my sins.
Consider my enemies for they are multiplied, * and they hate me with malignant hatred.
Keep Thou my soul, and deliver me: * I shall not be ashamed, for I have hoped in Thee.
The innocent and the upright have adhered to me: * because I have waited on Thee.
Deliver Israel, O God, * from all his tribulations.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. The sins of my youth, and my offences, do not remember, O Lord.
PSALM XXVI
Ant. I believe that I shall see.
The Lord is my light and my salvation, * whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the protector of my life; * of whom shall I be afraid?
Whilst the wicked advance against me, * to eat my flesh:
My enemies that trouble me,* have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.
If armies in camp should stand together against me, * my heart shall not fear.
If battle should rise against me,* in this will I be confident.
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after: * that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life.
That I may see the delight of the Lord, * and may visit His temple.
For He hath hidden me in His tabernacle: * in the day of evils He hath protected me in the secret place of His tabernacle.
He hath exalted me upon a rock: * and now He hath lifted up my head above my enemies.
I have gone round, and have offered up in His tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: * I will sing and recite a psalm to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I cry to Thee: * have mercy on me, and hear me.
My heart hath said to Thee: my face hath sought Thee: * Thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
Turn not away Thy face from me:* turn not in Thy wrath from Thy servant.
Be Thou my helper: * forsake me not: do not Thou abandon me, O God, my Saviour.
For my father and my mother have forsaken me: * but the Lord hath taken me up.
Set me, O Lord, a law in Thy way * and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies.
Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me: * for unjust witnesses have risen up against me and iniquity hath lied to itself.
I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord * in the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord, act manfully: * and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
V. May the Lord place them with the princes.
R. With the princes of His people.
Our Father, etc., in silence.
FOURTH LESSON
Job xiii
I will speak, and do Thou answer me. How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences. Why hidest Thou Thy face, and thinkest me Thy enemy? Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, Thou showest Thy power; and Thou pursuest dry stubble. For Thou writest bitter things against me, and consumest me for the sins of my youth. Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and Thou observest all my paths, and considerest the steps of my feet: who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
R. Remember me, O God, because my life is but wind; * nor may the sight of man behold me.
V. From the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. * Nor may the sight of man behold me.
FIFTH LESSON
Job xiv
Man born of woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. He cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state. And dost Thou think it meet to open Thy eyes upon such a one, and to bring him into judgment with Thee? Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed? Is it not Thou only? The days of man are short and the number of his months is with Thee: Thou hast appointed his bounds which cannot be passed. Depart a little from him, that he may rest, until his wished-for day come, as that of the hireling.
R. Woe is me, O Lord, because I have sinned exceedingly in my life; O wretch, what shall I do, whither shall I fly unless to Thee, my God? * Have mercy on me, when Thou comest at the latter day.
V. My soul is greatly troubled; but Thou, O Lord, succor it. * Have mercy on me, when Thou comest at the latter day.
SIXTH LESSON
Job xiv
Who will grant me this, that Thou mayst protect me in hell, and hide me till Thy wrath pass, and appoint me a time when Thou wilt remember me? Shall man that is dead, thinkest Thou, live again? All the days in which I am now in warfare, I expect until my change come. Thou wilt call me and I will answer Thee: to the work of Thy hands Thou wilt reach out Thy right hand. Thou indeed hast numbered my steps, but spare my sins.
R. Remember not my sins, O Lord. * When Thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.
V. Direct, O Lord my God, my way in Thy sight. * When Thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.
V. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. * When Thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.
THIRD NOCTURN
PSALM XXXIX
Ant. May it please.
With expectation I have waited for the Lord: * and He was attentive to me.
And He heard my prayers, * and brought me out of the pit of misery, and the deep mire.
And He set my feet upon a rock,* and directed my steps.
And He put into my mouth a new canticle, * a song to our God.
Many shall see and shall fear: * and they shall hope in the Lord.
Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord: * and who hath not regard to vanities and lying follies.
Thou hast multiplied Thy wonderful works, O Lord my God; * and in Thy thoughts there is no one like to Thee.
I have declared, and I have spoken: * they are multiplied beyond number.
Sacrifice and oblation Thou didst not desire: * but Thou hast pierced my ears.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering Thou didst not require: * then said I: Behold, I come.
In the head of the book it is written of me that I should do Thy will: * O my God, I delight in it, and Thy law is in the midst of my heart.
I have declared Thy justice in a great church: * lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, Thou knowest it.
I have not hid Thy justice within my heart: * I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation.
I have not concealed Thy mercy and Thy truth * from a great council.
Withhold not Thou, O Lord, Thy tender mercies from me: * Thy mercy and Thy truth have always upheld me.
For evils without number have surrounded me: * my iniquities have overtaken me, and I am not able to see.
They are multiplied above the hairs of my head, * and my heart hath forsaken me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: * look down, O Lord, to help me.
Let them that seek after my life to take it away, be confounded * and put to shame together.
Let them that desire evils to me * be turned backward, and put to shame.
Let them that say to me: Aha! Aha! * immediately be filled with shame.
Let all that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; * let such as love Thy salvation say always: the Lord be magnified.
But I am needy and poor: * the Lord is careful for me.
Thou art my helper and my protector: * O my God, delay not.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. May it please Thee, O Lord, to deliver me: Lord, have regard to help me.
PSALM XL
Ant. Heal my soul, O Lord.
Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and poor: * the Lord will deliver him in the evil day.
The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth: * and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
The Lord help him on his bed of sorrow: * Thou hast turned all his couch in his sickness.
I said: O Lord, be Thou merciful to me: * heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.
My enemies speak evil against me: * when shall he die, and his name perish?
And if he come in to see me, he speaketh vain things: * his heart gathereth together iniquity to itself.
He goeth out, * and speaketh to the same purpose.
All my enemies whisper together against me: * they devise evils for me.
They send forth an unjust word against me: * shall he that sleepeth rise again no more?
For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, * who ate my bread, hath greatly supplanted me.
But Thou, O Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up again: * and I will requite them.
By this I know that Thou hast a good will for me: * because my enemy shall not rejoice over me.
But Thou hast upheld me by reason of my innocence; * and Thou hast established me in Thy sight for ever.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity.* So be it. So be it.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. Heal my soul, O Lord, for I have sinned against Thee.
PSALM XLI
Ant. My soul has thirsted.
As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, * so my soul panteth after Thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth after the strong living God: * when shall I come and appear before the face of my God?
My tears are my food day and night, * whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?
These things I remember, and pour out my soul in me; * for I went over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God.
With the voice of joy and praise; * the noise of one feasting.
Why art thou sad, O My Soul? * and why dost thou trouble ?
Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance and my God.
My soul is troubled within myself: * therefore will I remember Thee from the land of Jordan and Hermon, from the little hill.
Deep calleth on deep * at the noise of Thy flood-gates.
All Thy waves and Thy billows * have passed over me.
In the daytime the Lord hath commanded His mercy: * and a canticle to Him in the night.
With me is prayer to the God of my life,* I will say to God: Thou art my support.
Why hast Thou forgotten me? * and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me?
Whilst my bones are broken,* my enemies who trouble me have reproached me.
Whilst they say to me day by day: Where is thy God? * Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?
Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to Him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,* and let perpetual light shine on them.
Ant. My soul has thirsted after the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of the Lord?
V. Deliver not to beasts the souls that confess Thee.
R. And the souls of Thy poor, forget not to the end.
Our Father, etc., in silence.
SEVENTH LESSON
Job xvii
My spirit is wasted: my days are shortened: and only the grave remaineth for me. I have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness. Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside Thee, and let any man's hand fight against me. My days have passed away; my thoughts are broken off, tormenting my heart. They have turned night into day; and after darkness I hope for light again. If I wait, hell is my house; and I have made my bed in darkness. I have said to rottenness: Thou art my father; to the worms: You are my mother and my sister. Where then is now my expectation, and who considereth my patience?
R. The fear of death troubles me; sinning daily and not repenting.* Because in hell there is no redemption, have mercy on me, O God, and save me.
V. O God, in Thy name save me, and in Thy strength deliver me.* Because in hell there is no redemption, have mercy on me, O God, and save me.
EIGHTH LESSON
Job xix
The flesh being consumed, my bone cleaveth to my skin: and nothing but lips are left about my teeth. Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least ye my friends; because the hand of the Lord hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh? Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book? With an iron style, and on a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument on the rock? For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and on the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this, my hope, is laid up in my bosom.
R. Judge me not, O Lord, according to my deeds, for I have done nothing worthy in Thy sight; therefore I beseech Thy majesty, * that Thou, O God, mayst blot out my iniquity.
V. Wash me, O Lord, yet more from my injustice, and cleanse me from my sin. * That Thou, O God, mayst blot out my iniquity.
NINTH LESSON
Job x
Why didst Thou bring me forth out of the womb? Would to God I had been consumed, that eye might not see me. I had been as if I were not, translated from the womb to the grave. Shall not the fewness of my days be shortly ended? Suffer me then that I may a little lament my sorrows; before I go, and return not, unto the dark land, that is covered with the mist of death, a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death and no order, but everlasting horror, inhabits.
R. Deliver me, O Lord, from the ways of hell, Who hast broken the brazen gates, and hast visited hell, and hast given light to them, that they may behold Thee. * Who were in the pains of darkness.
V. Crying, and saying: Thou art come, O our Redeemer. * Who were in the pains of darkness.
V. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. * Who were in the pains of darkness.
R. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death, in that dreadful day: * When the heavens and earth are to be moved: * When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.
V. I tremble and do fear when the examination is to be, and Thy wrath to come. * When the heavens and earth are to be moved:
V. That day is the day of anger, of calamity, and of misery, a great day and very bitter. * When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.
V. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death, in that dreadful day,* When the heavens and earth are to be moved. * When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.